236 Don’t Owe you Anything
The second day, the Han family sent two horse carriages to pick up Xie Yunjin’s family. Classmate Han however, didn’t come.
He was at the osmanthus alley, waiting for Xie Yunjin and his family.
Xie Yunjin, Lu Jiao, and all the valuables went onto the front carriage. The dogs, sheep, and two rabbits were brought onto the second carriage. Lu Gui also got into the second carriage.
The family then left the Xie village in carriages. Xie Laogen and the other villagers walked behind them to send them out.
Xie Laogen watched his third son leave the village and somehow felt very unsettled.
Though to him, his eldest son meant the most to him, his third son was the person who brought honor. If he left and never returned, would the others still respect him as they do now?
Xie Laogen couldn’t stop himself. He chased after the horse carriage and shouted, “My third son, the Xie Village is your roots! Don’t forget to come back and visit often!”
Xie Yunjin heard Xie Laogen’s screams and asked the carriage to stop for a bit. He looked out from the side of the carriage and said to his father, “Father, I know I am from the Xie village. No matter where I end up, I will never forget where I grew up. Once I’m on break, we’ll come and visit.”
Xie Laogen’s anxious heart finally felt more at peace. Behind him, Xie Fugui also felt slightly better.
Lu Jiao looked out from the cart as well and said to Xie Fugui, “Village Leader, I have taught the second brother everything about leech keeping. If you have any questions for us, you can come and find us. We will be living in the osmanthus alley in the city of Qinghe county. I’m sure you’ll find us if you go and ask around.”
Lu Jiao then thought of those random people who went to her for free medical advice. She had no plans on treating people for their scrapes and cuts. Afraid the Village Leader might overshare, she added, “Village Leader, don’t give out our address to just anyone.”
Xie Laogen and the Village Leader understood right away. The two of them nodded, “Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.”
LU Jiao nodded and smiled, “Then, we’ll head out. Once Yunjin is on break, he’ll come to visit.”
The Village Leader and Xie Laogen finally stopped worrying and bid them farewell, “Have a safe trip.”
Xie Yunjin said one last thing to Xie Laogen, “Father if you need anything, send someone my way.”
Xie Laogen felt touched, “I got it. Go to school.”
His son was only a scholar and as his father, he was already so highly respected. If he one day becomes the father of an official, everyone will suck up to him. Xie Laogen waved his hand energetically.
Many villagers stood behind them and waved endlessly. Some people even cried.
“Yunjin’s wife left just like that. It’ll be hard to see her again.”
“She’s the wife of a scholar. There’s no way she would stay in our village forever.”
There were all sorts of chatters in the village. However, Lu Jiao and Xie Yunjin were already long gone.
Inside the horse carriage, the four little ones excitedly touched everything. They’ve ridden in the oxcart before but never a horse carriage like this. They were incredibly intrigued by the high speed of the horse.
The four little ones would occasionally exclaim, “Ah, it’s going so fast!”
“It’s incredible!”
Lu Jiao smiled at the children, “We’ll also get a horse carriage just for ourselves. That way, we’ll have an easier time traveling to places.”
The four little ones’ eyes lit up as they stared at Lu Jiao. They asked to double-check, “We are going to have horses?”
Lu Jiao nodded, “That’s right. We’ll keep horses and use the horses to pull the carriages. That way, if you want to go out to play, you can take the horse carriage.”
The four little ones smiled with their eyes. After a few seconds, the First Born opened his mouth, “Does keeping horses cost a lot of money? If it’s too expensive, we don’t have to do it.”
Lu Jiao always felt bad about how aware and understanding the First Born was, she patted the First Born’s head, “You don’t have to worry about things like that. Your dad and I will work hard to make money.”
Xie Yunjin also chimed in, “That’s right. I’m going to work hard to make money for this family also. You shouldn’t have to worry.”
He then turned to Lu Jiao, “In a bit, we will pass by the town. I want to go pay the master a visit.”
“Sure.”
Lu Jiao didn’t decline. She knew how much Master and Lady Chen meant to Xie Yunjin. Their kindness had always weighed on him like a mountain. It was normal for him to want to visit.
Since Lu Jiao didn’t say anything, Xie Yunjin added, “I’ve always felt very indebted to Master and Lady Chen and I even thought of them as my parents. However, I found out something recently.”
This grabbed Lu Jiao’s attention, “What is it?”
“My second brother told me that the only reason Master Chen went to my parents to ask them to take me to school was that my grandpa asked him to. My grandpa begged him to convince my parents that school was the best option for me. My grandpa had to bribe him at first. A few years later, after discovering that I was good at studying, Master Chen stopped taking the money.”
Lu Jiao stared at Xie Yunjin in shock. How did that happen?
“That means you don’t owe the Chen family as much as you thought. The reason why he stopped taking payments was that he started to think of you as an investment. Though he still did a lot for you, it just doesn’t mean the same knowing the background. Your relationship is reduced down to just master and student.”
Xie Yunjin nodded. All these years, he’s felt depressed and heavy due to how much he owed the Chen family. He never felt at peace due to his inability to repay them. It was also because of how he felt that he wanted to marry Chen Ying.
But now, he found out that the indebtedness he felt never should’ve been that loaded.
This provided him with so much relief and he no longer blamed himself for Chen Ying’s death. On the contrary, Chen Ying owed him.
Xie Yunjin glanced at the Fourth Born then at Lu Jiao.
Lu Jiao liked the Fourth Born very much and naturally, she wasn’t going to tell her the truth.
Xie Yunjin whispered, “All this time, I’ve wondered if I would be able to ever repay the Chen family for what they did for me. Now that I found out the truth, I feel much more relieved.”
Lu Jiao asked curiously, “If your grandpa was the one who did all that for you. Why did he never speak of it?”
By now, Xie Yunjin had figured out why his grandpa never said anything. First of all, his grandpa wanted Xie Yunjin to grow up tough and patient. Second of all, his grandpa never wanted Lady Ruan to find out. If Lady Ruan found out about this, she never would’ve sent Xie Yunjin to school.
The thought of Lady Ruan turned Xie Yunjin cold. It took him some time to restore back to normal. His mother was kicked out of the Xie family, which in a way, meant he avenged his grandpa.
Xie Yunjin then spoke warmly, “My grandpa was likely worried that my mom would find out. If she found out, she never would’ve let me go to school and probably never would’ve let me touch a book.”
Lu Jiao thought of that woman and sighed. Knowing that woman, she knew Xie Yunjin’s assumption was right.
Lu Jiao then thought of the Chen family. Before, she saved Master Chen’s life. All in all, Xie Yunjin truly didn’t owe the Chen family much.
236 Don’t Owe you Anything
The second day, the Han family sent two horse carriages to pick up Xie Yunjin’s family. Classmate Han however, didn’t come.
He was at the osmanthus alley, waiting for Xie Yunjin and his family.
Xie Yunjin, Lu Jiao, and all the valuables went onto the front carriage. The dogs, sheep, and two rabbits were brought onto the second carriage. Lu Gui also got into the second carriage.
The family then left the Xie village in carriages. Xie Laogen and the other villagers walked behind them to send them out.
Xie Laogen watched his third son leave the village and somehow felt very unsettled.
Though to him, his eldest son meant the most to him, his third son was the person who brought honor. If he left and never returned, would the others still respect him as they do now?
Xie Laogen couldn’t stop himself. He chased after the horse carriage and shouted, “My third son, the Xie Village is your roots! Don’t forget to come back and visit often!”
Xie Yunjin heard Xie Laogen’s screams and asked the carriage to stop for a bit. He looked out from the side of the carriage and said to his father, “Father, I know I am from the Xie village. No matter where I end up, I will never forget where I grew up. Once I’m on break, we’ll come and visit.”
Xie Laogen’s anxious heart finally felt more at peace. Behind him, Xie Fugui also felt slightly better.
Lu Jiao looked out from the cart as well and said to Xie Fugui, “Village Leader, I have taught the second brother everything about leech keeping. If you have any questions for us, you can come and find us. We will be living in the osmanthus alley in the city of Qinghe county. I’m sure you’ll find us if you go and ask around.”
Lu Jiao then thought of those random people who went to her for free medical advice. She had no plans on treating people for their scrapes and cuts. Afraid the Village Leader might overshare, she added, “Village Leader, don’t give out our address to just anyone.”
Xie Laogen and the Village Leader understood right away. The two of them nodded, “Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.”
LU Jiao nodded and smiled, “Then, we’ll head out. Once Yunjin is on break, he’ll come to visit.”
The Village Leader and Xie Laogen finally stopped worrying and bid them farewell, “Have a safe trip.”
Xie Yunjin said one last thing to Xie Laogen, “Father if you need anything, send someone my way.”
Xie Laogen felt touched, “I got it. Go to school.”
His son was only a scholar and as his father, he was already so highly respected. If he one day becomes the father of an official, everyone will suck up to him. Xie Laogen waved his hand energetically.
Many villagers stood behind them and waved endlessly. Some people even cried.
“Yunjin’s wife left just like that. It’ll be hard to see her again.”
“She’s the wife of a scholar. There’s no way she would stay in our village forever.”
There were all sorts of chatters in the village. However, Lu Jiao and Xie Yunjin were already long gone.
Inside the horse carriage, the four little ones excitedly touched everything. They’ve ridden in the oxcart before but never a horse carriage like this. They were incredibly intrigued by the high speed of the horse.
The four little ones would occasionally exclaim, “Ah, it’s going so fast!”
“It’s incredible!”
Lu Jiao smiled at the children, “We’ll also get a horse carriage just for ourselves. That way, we’ll have an easier time traveling to places.”
The four little ones’ eyes lit up as they stared at Lu Jiao. They asked to double-check, “We are going to have horses?”
Lu Jiao nodded, “That’s right. We’ll keep horses and use the horses to pull the carriages. That way, if you want to go out to play, you can take the horse carriage.”
The four little ones smiled with their eyes. After a few seconds, the First Born opened his mouth, “Does keeping horses cost a lot of money? If it’s too expensive, we don’t have to do it.”
Lu Jiao always felt bad about how aware and understanding the First Born was, she patted the First Born’s head, “You don’t have to worry about things like that. Your dad and I will work hard to make money.”
Xie Yunjin also chimed in, “That’s right. I’m going to work hard to make money for this family also. You shouldn’t have to worry.”
He then turned to Lu Jiao, “In a bit, we will pass by the town. I want to go pay the master a visit.”
“Sure.”
Lu Jiao didn’t decline. She knew how much Master and Lady Chen meant to Xie Yunjin. Their kindness had always weighed on him like a mountain. It was normal for him to want to visit.
Since Lu Jiao didn’t say anything, Xie Yunjin added, “I’ve always felt very indebted to Master and Lady Chen and I even thought of them as my parents. However, I found out something recently.”
This grabbed Lu Jiao’s attention, “What is it?”
“My second brother told me that the only reason Master Chen went to my parents to ask them to take me to school was that my grandpa asked him to. My grandpa begged him to convince my parents that school was the best option for me. My grandpa had to bribe him at first. A few years later, after discovering that I was good at studying, Master Chen stopped taking the money.”
Lu Jiao stared at Xie Yunjin in shock. How did that happen?
“That means you don’t owe the Chen family as much as you thought. The reason why he stopped taking payments was that he started to think of you as an investment. Though he still did a lot for you, it just doesn’t mean the same knowing the background. Your relationship is reduced down to just master and student.”
Xie Yunjin nodded. All these years, he’s felt depressed and heavy due to how much he owed the Chen family. He never felt at peace due to his inability to repay them. It was also because of how he felt that he wanted to marry Chen Ying.
But now, he found out that the indebtedness he felt never should’ve been that loaded.
This provided him with so much relief and he no longer blamed himself for Chen Ying’s death. On the contrary, Chen Ying owed him.
Xie Yunjin glanced at the Fourth Born then at Lu Jiao.
Lu Jiao liked the Fourth Born very much and naturally, she wasn’t going to tell her the truth.
Xie Yunjin whispered, “All this time, I’ve wondered if I would be able to ever repay the Chen family for what they did for me. Now that I found out the truth, I feel much more relieved.”
Lu Jiao asked curiously, “If your grandpa was the one who did all that for you. Why did he never speak of it?”
By now, Xie Yunjin had figured out why his grandpa never said anything. First of all, his grandpa wanted Xie Yunjin to grow up tough and patient. Second of all, his grandpa never wanted Lady Ruan to find out. If Lady Ruan found out about this, she never would’ve sent Xie Yunjin to school.
The thought of Lady Ruan turned Xie Yunjin cold. It took him some time to restore back to normal. His mother was kicked out of the Xie family, which in a way, meant he avenged his grandpa.
Xie Yunjin then spoke warmly, “My grandpa was likely worried that my mom would find out. If she found out, she never would’ve let me go to school and probably never would’ve let me touch a book.”
Lu Jiao thought of that woman and sighed. Knowing that woman, she knew Xie Yunjin’s assumption was right.
Lu Jiao then thought of the Chen family. Before, she saved Master Chen’s life. All in all, Xie Yunjin truly didn’t owe the Chen family much.
